Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican who became a liberal darling, has died

By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON AP Retired Supreme Court Justice David H Souter the ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican who became a darling of liberals during his nearly years on the bench has died He was Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire the court revealed in a message Friday FILE In this Sept file photo retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter works with his group to promote civics schooling in New Hampshire schools during a meeting in Concord N H AP Photo Jim Cole FILE He retired from the court in June giving President Barack Obama his first Supreme Court vacancy to fill Obama chose Sonia Sotomayor the court s first Latina justice Souter was appointed by Republican President George H W Bush in He was a reliably liberal vote on abortion church-state relations freedom of expression and the accessibility of federal courts